I’ve accidentally hit the publish button way too early, but I will be updating this post every now and then, especially on nominees, which will take quite some time, because I’ve just got a reboot on blogging from a 5-year hiatus. Most of the other blogs I do know from long ago, do not qualify as freshies…
So, at the moment here are my lovely lists and best attempt to keep this award chain going.
Note: What is Liebster?
It is a German word meaning “dearest” or “beloved”, and in this context, it means blogs that bloggers love regardless of the online popularity, in fact, it is mainly given to blogs that newly started but with deserving content. It is a chained award from bloggers to other bloggers and given as moral support and to popularise any of the potential better bloggers than those that might be on the top, and are there only because of marketing and their supply of products or service providing, which is not really what blogging is.
Acknowledgement
First and foremost, I would like to thank Rayeesa (who writes for the service of Islam, best cause and Jihad) for nominating me even if I’ve just started my blog again with barely 10 posts.
Answers for the Liebster Award
How do you find time for blogging?
Well, I plan my month ahead. Not a precise or detailed one, just setting targets like… Now, that I’m a WAHM (Work At Home Mom), I set for once a week and make sure to stick to that. Back then when I had an 8-5 hour job, I find it quite difficult but still try for at least twice a month. That can be anytime in the month. But for the past 5 years, during my revert transition, that’s when things really went to zero and I had to put all my domains on hiatus. Big things like this, need to get settled first but I’ve always kept the passion for writing, no matter what.
What is the best part about blogging?
I get to write. It’s not only a hobby. I did start with creative writing at first, like poems and short stories. And this was for the longest time ever (see facts below). As technology progressed, I kept soft copies of my writings and found a way to share them with the world. Through blogging, I could say, I had progressed more as a writer and diversified. I believe I could continue to do so as it ultimately serves as a platform to brainstorm, do some rough drafts or just simply self-express through words.
What did you gain from your blog?
So, far… exposure (in both ways). I get exposed to the world of bloggers, who are usually the readers as well, and I get to know other people’s angle of perception, whether it be on ideals or reality. At the same time, I get to expose my own works and people get to know me for what I do and not necessarily for my private life. It’s a good thing especially if you’re an entrepreneur, may it be for small businesses or something bigger.
What do you wish to gain from your blog in future?
I’ve wanted, for the longest time, to have an online shop set on two of my domains. One is for my self-published works, so I could have ebooks downloaded and paid for directly, besides having them on other platforms such as Amazon.com. I could do my own marketing from home and help my hubby with his apps. Another one would be for my online portfolio of graphic illustrations and web development. This one is more into actually paid service providing.
What marketing/promoting tips worked for you best?
Facebook Ads worked quite well on my pages, and they are all linked to my domains. All my posts from each domain go to their assigned page via the API app. Oh the wonders of technology, and I’m glad for being a nerd! I’m testing the waters on Google Ads as well, but let’s just see how things go first. Being organised is one thing, but being on redundant services is also a headache.
Which are your favourite Islamic blogs?
At the moment I follow the Muslimah Bloggers.
What have been your biggest achievements in the field of writing?
I wouldn’t say it’s so big, but I’ve successfully published my first book (a collection of short stories and poems) under Partridge Publishing back on January 15th, 2015. However, I couldn’t follow up much with the publishing company on the marketing of the book itself. I’m, however, glad that I’ve established myself as an author (finally). There are pros and cons of self-publishing and I’ve had some lessons learnt, especially in terms of getting the book “out there”. Hey, I’m a writer after all, first and foremost… I’ve also found an easier way of publishing through KDP. I really think that with the right background, you can even do it on your own given the right timing. You have to make sure, though, that you have the grasp within the proper market circle.
What is your aim in life?
To reach my personal and career goals, but do them all within the aspects and teachings of Islam, In Shaa’ Allah.
What are your favourite Muslim magazines, publications and websites?
I do follow a few on FB pages, but some of them are recommended here.
Who are your favourite Muslim authors?
As a free writer, I don’t touch on just Islamic literature, really. Hence, I’ve kept my non-Muslim name as a pen name. The same goes, with stuff I read. I can’t simply say I have any favourite authors. There are just so many books from anyone author that I could like or dislike, or simply have different feelings over.
What is one advice you want to give to newbie bloggers?
You have to learn to love what you do.
I love writing first and foremost, so I use that for blogging. I have other skills, and I showcased them through blogging. If you only mean to get attention, there is social media for that, like Instagram or Twitter or Facebook. Although social networking had proven itself to be a platform or gateway for marketing any product or service you provide rather than just staying put with your own website and that the possibilities are endless when you link them with your blogging, it just takes away the whole essence of what I knew blogging once was, which is a creative extension of an individual.
Liebster Award 11 Facts (about myself)
- I started online life, sometime around 1998, and found out about LiveJournal. Those were my early days of blogging. I didn’t officially become a blogger until 2002. I’ve gone from LiveJournal, BlogDrive, BlogSpot, MySpace, all the way to WordPress.
- My first language is English, having been brought up abroad, with people were speaking to me in English most of the time. Hence, I think and speak English whilst being quite fluent as well, in Malay and Filipino. I know a little Japanese because of family/relatives, and currently, I’m learning Arabic for Islamic Studies.
- My sisters and I, are the reason I bought a domain called MomentsOfNil.com, where we blog about our writings. I’ve also come to see my writings as something of a separate art from just my random musings on my online journals, and that’s what I continue to do now. I do not host any of my sisters’ blogs anymore, but I still include them on the domain. They are still writers at their own time, and both are planning to self-publish as well. I hope to help them with that, as we see ourselves as the modern Brontë sisters.
- I’ve taken up writing since 1998, but it wasn’t until I read “Wuthering Heights” that I felt inspired to write not only poems but short stories. The fact that the writer (Emily Bronte) have it as her only novel, has made me set my writing goals to write at least ONE novel, myself.
- I was into the gothic and victorian culture and all those anti-norm stuff (fascination with gore, death, darkness, Edgar Allan Poe, etc.)
- I don’t have an active Facebook account, at all. No one is added to my profile, not even relatives or real-life friends. I only use it for managing my own pages relative to the domains I have, as well as to get entertained by pages or groups that I like. Let’s just say, I’ve been on the internet for too long.
- I didn’t speak or talk until I was 4 years old.
- My Nikah followed the Sunnah: simple as possible and done at home with a small Walimah to end with. This was largely due to being interracial. Some would opt for doing “two ceremonies”, to accommodate both cultures but we just did it the Islam way. Alhamdulillah, so far, I’m still feeling blessed.
- I was pork-free and alcohol-free even before I officially announced my Shahadah in 2015 at the Islamic Da’wah Centre. My cosmetics/skincare and attire all slowly became Halalified/Hijabified 100% in no time after that.
- I love buying and collecting really lovely notebooks, and I could barely write on them! I end up using Foolscap paper or just some plain sheets of paper.
- I’m a coffee and tea person… And I’m in serious withdrawal now (pregnancy)
My Nominees:
- Daniaa: https://daaniaf.com/
- Riz: http://seldomseenlankan.com/
- Ashfa: http://ash-piration.blogspot.com/
- Shifa: http://joysofmine.wordpress.com/
- Najla: http://najla-binth-naseer.blogspot.com/
- Nadirah: http://lifestories-e-rah.blogspot.com/
- Sara: https://thebeautybombuk.wordpress.com/
- Rimsha: http://therimskyproject.com/
- Ayesha: http://www.thecrazyammiblog.co.uk/
- not found yet
- not found yet
My Questions for the above Liebster Nominees
- Who introduced you to blogging?
- Do you have a niche/theme for your blog or you go through various topics?
- For the previous questions: Why?
- Do you join any blogging communities/groups? Name them…
- What/Who inspires you to write/blog?
- What are three things that need to be on your bucket list?
- If you could give advice to your 16-year-old self, what would it be?
- What kind of social work would you want to get involved in?
- Think of someone, what would you say to them that you don’t dare to say in real life?
- What is something that people will be surprised to know about you?
- If you can make a wish that will definitely come true right now, what will it be?
